Theater often highlights star studded individual talents, and, of course, Players has a long history of just that. But this perception was challenged the first weekend of the Player’s annual fall production. This year’s production of “Guys and Dolls” became a shining example of something deeper- a program steeped in a culture of supporting one another to reach the best outcome for the group, not individual stars. 

“Guys and Dolls” debuted Nov. 11, with a cast of gifted student actors and actresses. But, they were thrown a curve ball when one of the lead cast members – Henry Carson ’24 who was starring as Nathan Detriots – fell ill and alerted the production team that he could no longer perform for the first few shows. Understudy Will Mccrea ’26 stepped in for Carson and the show went on. 

Staples Players prepares and seems to actually thrive on these challenging moments, using them as opportunities to support one another such that the show goes on, no matter what.

Mccrea entered the Players program just a few months ago and was double cast as Joey Biltmore- one or two scenes, as well as understudy for Nathan Detriots- a character with over a hundred lines and three songs. The latter lead role is one he never expected to play. This said, of course Mccrea prepared, but had no pressure of having to deliver- that is, until it was actually time to perform. He was in complete shock after being told at about 2:30 p.m., five hours before the curtains lifted on opening night, he was fulfilling his role as an understudy, going on for Detriots. 

“If you can imagine the amount of adrenaline you get on a rollercoaster ride, then multiply it by 10,” Mccrea said. “The entirety of being an understudy I was kinda teasing the idea like ‘oh what if Henry gets sick, what if I have to go on’ and then it actually came true. It was a surreal experience. I can’t describe the feeling.”